U.S. patent application number 12/734436 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for method, apparatus and system for anti-piracy protection and verification.
This patent application is currently assigned to THOMSON LICENSING. Invention is credited to Gregory William Cook, Mark Alan Schultz.
Application Number | 20110206349 12/734436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39535145 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110206349 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schultz; Mark Alan ; et
al. |
August 25, 2011 |
METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR ANTI-PIRACY PROTECTION AND
VERIFICATION
Abstract
A method, apparatus and system for anti-piracy protection and
verification include a first projection device configured to
project image frames onto a screen. A feedback device records a
plurality of consecutive frames, an image analyzing module analyzes
image properties of the recorded frames and a modulator creates
anti-sampling system content to be projected contemporaneously with
the image frames. The projected anti-sampling system content, while
virtually invisible to the human eye, is detectable by sampling
systems such as camcorders, thus rendering any such pirated
recordings of the protected image content useless. The first
projection device can include a security processor configured for
comparing the recorded content with an expected content in
real-time. A display enable/disable module is provided for
disabling the projection of the content on the screen if the
recorded content does not match the expected content.
Inventors: |
Schultz; Mark Alan; (Carmel,
IN) ; Cook; Gregory William; (Lafayette, IN) |
Assignee: |
THOMSON LICENSING
Boulogne-Billancourt
FR
|
Family ID: |
39535145 |
Appl. No.: |
12/734436 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
November 8, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2007/023581 |
371 Date: |
April 30, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
386/252 ;
386/E5.003 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2005/91392
20130101; H04N 5/913 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/252 ;
386/E05.003 |
International
Class: |
H04N 9/80 20060101
H04N009/80 |
Claims
1. A method for providing and verifying anti-camcorder content
comprising the steps of: determining, from at least a portion of a
projected original image content, anti-sampling content suitable
for projection contemporaneously with said original image content
such that the anti-sampling content is not visible to a human eye
but is destructive to the image quality of the original image
content when recorded by a sampling device; projecting said
anti-sampling content contemporaneously with said original image
content; and capturing said contemporaneously projected content for
verifying that the anti-sampling content is present in said
captured content.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of consecutive frames
of said original image content are captured and image properties of
said captured frames are analyzed for determining said suitable
anti-sampling content.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the image properties of said
captured frames include at least one of average luminescence,
variability and color content.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-sampling content is
projected onto only a portion of said original image content.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the anti-sampling content
comprises modulated visible light.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the modulated visible light
comprises light modulated temporally at a rate between 120 Hz to
150 Hz.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising projecting security
data along with said anti-sampling content and determining if
captured security data matches said projected security data.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein if the presence of said
anti-sampling content in said captured content is not verified, the
projection of said original image content is disabled.
9. An anti-piracy protection system comprising: a content capturing
device configured to capture at least a portion of a projected
original image content; a control unit for determining, from at
least the captured portion of the projected original image content,
anti-sampling content suitable for projection contemporaneously
with said original image content such that the anti-sampling
content is not visible to a human eye but is destructive to the
image quality of the original image content when recorded by a
sampling device; and a projection device for projecting said
anti-sampling content contemporaneously with said original image
content; wherein said content capturing device captures said
contemporaneously projected content for verification by said
control unit that the anti-sampling content is present in said
captured content.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said control unit is operably
connected to a projection source of said original image content and
wherein if the presence of said anti-sampling content in said
captured content is not verified, the projection of said original
image content is disabled.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said projection source
comprises a display enable/disable module configured for disabling
the projection of said original content if the captured portion of
said original image content does not match an expected content.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the content capturing device
comprises a sampling device.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the content capturing device
comprises a visible light camera.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein said projection device comprises
a first projection device for projecting said anti-sampling content
contemporaneously with said original image content and wherein a
second projection device is used for projecting said original image
content.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein said projection device comprises
a single projection device for projecting said original image
content and said anti-sampling content, contemporaneously.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein the control unit is an
integrated unit in said projection device.
17. The system of claim 9, further comprising an enable/disable
unit for disabling the projection of said original image content if
the presence of said anti-sampling content in said captured content
is not verified.
18. The system of claim 9, further comprising a security data unit
for generating security data to be projected along with said
anti-sampling content.
19. The system of claim 9, wherein said content capturing device
further comprises an encryptor for encrypting the captured original
image content.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein said projection device includes
a filter generator module for generating a signal for projection
onto the screen.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein said content capturing device
further includes a filter detector module for detecting the signal
created by the filter generator module.
22. An anti-piracy control unit comprising: an image analyzer for
determining and analyzing image properties of a projected original
image content; and a modulator for determining, using at least the
determined and analyzed image properties of the original image
content, anti-sampling content suitable for projection
contemporaneously with said original image content such that the
anti-sampling content is not visible to a human eye but is
destructive to the image quality of the original image content when
recorded by a sampling device.
23. The anti-piracy control unit of claim 22, wherein said
determined anti-sampling content is communicated to a projection
device for projecting said anti-sampling content contemporaneously
with said original image content.
24. The anti-piracy control unit of claim 22, wherein the
anti-sampling content is projected onto a non-entire portion of
each respective image of said original image content.
25. The anti-piracy control unit of claim 22, wherein the image
properties include at least one of average luminescence,
variability and color content.
26. The anti-piracy control unit of claim 22, wherein the
anti-sampling content is projected in real time onto image frames
of said original image content.
27. The anti-piracy control unit of claim 22, wherein the
anti-sampling content comprises modulated visible light.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to content security,
and more particularly, to a method, apparatus and system for
providing and verifying anti-camcorder content for anti-piracy
purposes of, for example, film and digital media.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Piracy concerns in connection with the theatrical exhibition
of motion picture content are well known. For example, in the
regular course of exhibiting a film, a customer in the theater may
surreptitiously record the film using, for example, a hand held
camcorder. Currently, piracy of content due to illegal recording is
estimated to cost $3 billion in lost revenue.
[0003] Some current methods of protecting the content include: 1)
transmitting patterns in the near-IR spectrum, and 2) modifying the
content intended for Digital Cinema projectors to implement visible
light anti-camcorder methods. The advantage of the near-IR method
is that it is display independent; however, it is speculated that
specialized near-IR filters for camcorders might render this
technique less than effective.
[0004] With respect to the modification of Digital Cinema content,
this has the advantage that no static filter will be able to defeat
this technique; however, with effective frame rates necessary to
implement this technique estimated to be above 100 Hz (well above
the minimum 24 Hz or 48 Hz required for standard cinema content) a
much more complex, and thus costly projector to facilitate
anti-camcorder methods would be required. In addition, this method
obviously does not protect film (non-digital) content.
[0005] One example of a system for protection of movie content
(both film and digital) is the method of transmitting near IR
images to the screen, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,559,883. The near-IR images may be sensed by a camcorder device,
but are not visible to the naked eye. In addition, there is also
proposed a system including infrared sensors which senses whether
an anti-camcorder system is being used and reports its findings to
assist in enforcement and reporting of an anti-piracy system (e.g.,
see U.S. Pat. No. 6,771,349.) While this system is independent of
the projection method, the weakness of this system is its reliance
on near-IR transmission, for which it is speculated that the use of
a specialized near IR filter would render this technique less
effective than required for content protection.
[0006] A second method of modifying the content intended for
Digital Cinema projectors is based on the fact that the human eye
is not a sampling system whereas a camcorder system is. Thus, by
transmitting frames at other than the standard of 24 Hz, one can
take advantage of aliasing and produce various beating patterns in
the passband of the camcorder invisible to the naked eye. In
addition to modulating the luma of the visible signal, one can also
modulate the chroma of the visible signal, and still not be
visible. While the advantage with this method is that no static
filter can be used to eliminate the unwanted signals and thwart the
system, there are a number of difficulties with this method,
however. A first (and main) problem is that implementing this
system will require a projector to be constructed well beyond its
nominal design requirements, thus driving up the costs of the
projector immensely. For example, such an anti-camcorder projector
will need to be capable of producing frame rates of well over 100
Hz, which is over three times that required under nominal
conditions. In addition, given the limitations of the frame rate of
projectors, it is speculated that a smoothing filter of 1/15.sup.th
of a second could render the protected content useless in spite of
the tremendous cost of building the device.
[0007] Further, while many anti-camcorder and watermarking systems
are being designed today to discourage illegal copying in movie
theaters, the main problem with many of such techniques is lack of
verification that the intended anti-camcorder protection is
actually appearing on the screen during playback in a theater.
Indeed, most of the security techniques for digital cinema are
placed in the projector. Once the light leaves the projector, there
is no feedback to verify or monitor the success of the security
technique. This is a major flaw, since the security system can be
tampered with either before the content arrives in the theater or
after the content is playing. Some of the proposed systems rely on
theater personnel to maintain honesty, which can present a problem.
Since the staff of a theater is often kept to a minimal number, all
of the screens and theaters cannot be monitored all of the
time.
[0008] For example, a multiple projector system that provides
anti-camcorder content can be defeated by simply turning off the
additional projector that is providing the anti-camcorder content.
Techniques using mechanical shutters to add flicker can also be
defeated by turning off the motor that drives the shutter or
mechanically moving the shutter away from the projected light.
[0009] Accordingly, a method, apparatus and system for preventing
unauthorized piracy of movie content as well as providing real-time
monitoring and verification of anti-camcorder protection which
avoids the limitations and deficiencies of, for example, near-IR
and digital content modulation, is highly desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention address various
deficiencies of the prior art by providing a method, apparatus and
system for preventing unauthorized piracy of, for example, movie
content as well as providing real-time monitoring and verification
of anti-piracy protection. The various aspects of the embodiments
of the present invention described here are useful under all
content delivery techniques such as projection techniques (e.g.,
film, Digital Cinema, etc.), are not vulnerable to near IR filters,
and do not require intimate foreknowledge of the content.
[0011] In one embodiment according to the present principles, a
method, apparatus and system are provided for anti-piracy
protection, namely, in a theater or other environment in which
video content is publicly displayed. That is, in various
embodiments of the present invention, a second projection device is
provided to project anti-sampling system content simultaneously
with a main presentation (movie) content. A feedback device (e.g.,
visible light camera) is provided to verify that the second
projector is operating in a region of the presentation and/or in a
portion within each image such that the anti-sampling system
content is virtually invisible to the naked human eye, yet
effective in preventing a useful video sequence from being recorded
by a camcorder or other video recording device during playing of
the movie.
[0012] Further, in accordance with various embodiments of the
present invention, an automated, real-time monitoring and
verification system is provided for viewing the projected content
in real-time and verifying that the anti-camcorder security content
that is intended to be applied to the projected content is actually
on the screen. For example, in one embodiment utilizing a security
processor and a feedback device (camera); an anti-tamper system can
be provided for real-time testing of image content being played on
a screen to verify that the intended security content is indeed on
the screen. This feedback mechanism may be used to alert, for
example, the theater owner that the security system has been
tampered with and can be used to enable the turning off the content
projector and discontinue playing of the content.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for
providing and verifying anti-camcorder content includes
determining, from at least a portion of a projected original image
content, anti-sampling content suitable for projection
contemporaneously with the original image content such that the
anti-sampling content is not visible to a human eye but is
destructive to the image quality of the original image content when
recorded by a sampling device, projecting the anti-sampling content
contemporaneously with the original image content, and capturing
the contemporaneously projected content for verifying that the
anti-sampling content is present in the captured content.
[0014] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a
system for providing and verifying anti-camcorder content includes
a content capturing device configured to capture at least a portion
of a projected original image content, a control unit for
determining, from at least the captured portion of the projected
original image content, anti-sampling content suitable for
projection contemporaneously with the original image content such
that the anti-sampling content is not visible to a human eye but is
destructive to the image quality of the original image content when
recorded by a sampling device, and a projection device for
projecting the anti-sampling content contemporaneously with the
original image content wherein the content capturing device
captures the contemporaneously projected content for verification
by the control unit that the anti-sampling content is present in
the captured content.
[0015] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the
anti-piracy control unit of the above described system includes an
image analyzer for determining and analyzing image properties of a
projected original image content, and a modulator for determining,
using at least the determined and analyzed image properties of the
original image content, anti-sampling content suitable for
projection contemporaneously with the original image content such
that the anti-sampling content is not visible to a human eye but is
destructive to the image quality of the original image content when
recorded by a sampling device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The teachings of the present invention can be readily
understood by considering the following detailed description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a high level block diagram of an anti-piracy
protection and verification system in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary illustration of an image having
anti-camcorder content as viewed by a sampling system in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary illustration of images projected
by various components of an anti-camcorder system in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a method for providing
anti-camcorder system content in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 depicts a high level block diagram of a system for
providing and verifying anti-piracy content in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 depicts a high level block diagram of an anti-piracy
protection and verification system in accordance with an alternate
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 depicts a more detailed diagram of the system of FIG.
6 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0024] FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of a method for providing and
verifying anti-camcorder content in real-time in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] It should be understood that the drawings are for purposes
of illustrating the concepts of the invention and are not
necessarily the only possible configuration for illustrating the
invention. To facilitate understanding, identical reference
numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical
elements that are common to the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide
a method, apparatus and system for anti-piracy protection and
verification. Although the present invention will be described
primarily within the context of a specific anti-piracy protection
and verification system and device, the specific embodiments of the
present invention should not be treated as limiting the scope of
the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
and informed by the teachings of the present invention that the
concepts of the present invention can be advantageously applied in
substantially any content delivery and display environment for
providing anti-piracy protection and verification.
[0027] The functions of the various elements shown in the figures
can be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as
hardware capable of executing software in association with
appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions
can be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared
processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of
which can be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term "processor"
or "controller" should not be construed to refer exclusively to
hardware capable of executing software, and can implicitly include,
without limitation, digital signal processor ("DSP") hardware,
read-only memory ("ROM") for storing software, random access memory
("RAM"), and non-volatile storage. Moreover, all statements herein
reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as
well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both
structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is
intended that such equivalents include both currently known
equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e.,
any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless
of structure).
[0028] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that the block diagrams presented herein represent
conceptual views of illustrative system components and/or circuitry
embodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, it will be
appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition
diagrams, pseudocode, and the like represent various processes
which may be substantially represented in computer readable media
and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such
computer or processor is explicitly shown.
[0029] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention, a method, apparatus and system is described for
providing and verifying anti-sampling content for anti-piracy
purposes of, for example, film and digital media in a theater or
other environment in which video content is publicly displayed. In
various embodiments of the present invention, anti-sampling system
content is applied to a main presentation (movie) content, and a
feedback device (e.g., visible light camera) is provided to verify
that the anti-sampling content is operating in a region of the
presentation as well as in a portion within each image where it
would be virtually invisible to the naked human eye, yet effective
in preventing a useful video sequence from being recorded by a
camcorder or other video camera device during playing of the
movie.
[0030] An automated, real-time monitoring and verification system
can be provided for viewing the movie in real-time and verifying
that the anti-camcorder security content that is intended to be
applied to the screen is actually on the screen. Even further, in
various embodiments of the present invention, a security processor
and a feedback device (camera) are utilized to provide an
anti-tamper system for real-time testing of image content being
played on a screen to verify that the intended security content is
indeed properly appearing on the screen. This feedback mechanism
can be used to alert the theater owner that the system has been
tampered with and/or automatically disable the content source and
discontinue display of the content.
[0031] FIG. 1 depicts a high level block diagram of an anti-piracy
protection and verification system in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention. In accordance with various embodiments of
the present invention, it is to be noted that an anti-piracy
protection and verification system of the present invention can
include conventional film projectors and/or components of a Digital
Cinema projection system. For example, the anti-piracy protection
and verification system of FIG. 1 illustratively includes a first
or main projector 101 for projecting image content (e.g., movie
images) onto a screen 111 (i.e., across a seating area 109). In the
embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1, a feedback
device 103 (e.g., a visible light camera) is in communication with
a control unit 102. The feedback device 103 records a plurality of
consecutive frames of the images of the projected images for
communication to the control unit 102. In the system of FIG. 1, the
control unit 102 of FIG. 1 illustratively comprises a memory 104
for storing, for example, software configured to carry out the
processing steps described herein, an image analyzer 106 for
determining image properties (e.g., average luminescence/light
levels, variability, color content, etc. of each frame) and
determining an ideal portion of each image onto which anti-sampling
system content can be added and a modulator 108 for providing video
feed comprising modulation of selected areas of the original image
content to a second projector 105. The control unit 102 can
comprise a separate computer and/or can be included internally
within the camera device 103.
[0032] The overall number/percentage of consecutive frames to be
modulated, according to various embodiments of the present
invention, in a given movie or presentation is adjustable and is
preferably a number of frames sufficient to render a
pirated/camcordered version of the movie unusable. The desired
quantity of frames to be modified is readily determinable by one of
ordinary skill in the art. For example, in one embodiment of the
present invention, at least 30% of the total number of frames in a
movie is pseudo-modulated for optimal effectiveness.
[0033] The term "anti-sampling system content" used herein can
include, for example, content used to thwart camcorders or any
other video sampling system. According to an embodiment of the
present invention, suitable anti-sampling system content is applied
based on the analysis of the plurality of frames by the control
unit 102. As such in various embodiments of the present invention,
anti-sampling system content which is `customized` to the images is
advantageously provided and applied.
[0034] Ideal scenes for adding anti-sampling system content in
accordance with various embodiment of the present invention can
include static scenes with minimal movement/action. Such scenes
maximize the desired negative effect on any pirated recording while
reducing the possibility that the anti-sampling system content will
cause undesirable side effects that would be visible to a human
viewer (e.g., flickering, flashes, etc.). As most scenes in a given
movie/presentation are static for at least a few seconds (and most
movies frames are transmitted at a standard rate of, for example,
24 Hz or 24 frames per second), an analysis of, for example, just
three or four consecutive frames by the feedback camera 103 would
allow enough 30, time to produce a suitable and effective
anti-sampling system image for a given scene.
[0035] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a second projector 105 is
provided operably connected to and in communication with the
feedback device 103 and/or the control unit 102 and is configured
to project the desired anti-sampling system content onto portions
of each image of the frames in real time. For example, in various
embodiments of the present invention, anti-sampling system content
can include modulated visible light such as luma (quantity
representative of luminance information) and chroma (quantity
representative of color information) temporally and/or spatially
modulated light which is virtually invisible to the naked human
eye, yet readily detectable on a recording made by a sampling
system such as a camcorder.
[0036] Preferably, the anti-sampling system content added to
content, such as a movie, is `customized` such that, in one
embodiment, only the minimal amount/level of modulated visible
light necessary to discourage camcorder reproduction yet still be
virtually invisible to a human viewer is projected via the second
projector 105 onto each respective image. For example, in order to
keep additive light levels low, not every area of every image of
the selected sequence is `pseudo-modulated` (projected/output with
additional modulated visible light). That is, only certain portions
(e.g., in one embodiment, random portions) of the screen are
affected. Only a portion of each image (e.g., a non-entire portion
preferably sufficient to discourage unauthorized camcorder
duplication) is pseudo-modulated with, for example, higher
frequency visible light, and thus higher frame rates are balanced
by the fact that full picture resolution of the original image is
not required. This keeps the time-bandwidth well within current
manufacturing methods, thus eliminating the need for a
high-resolution/high frame rate digital cinema projector. Moreover,
the digital content of the original images is not modified in any
way, therefore providing theaters with the option of utilizing
additional/alternate anti-camcorder methods, such as physical
security techniques (e.g., metal detectors, camcorder operation
detectors, etc.) in conjunction with the aspects of the present
invention.
[0037] Anti-sampling system content, in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention, preferably includes light
transmitted from the second projector 105 which is preferably
modulated temporally at a very high rate (e.g., in one embodiment,
at about 120 Hz to about 150 Hz) which in various embodiments of
the present invention, can include some spatial modulation as well.
The spatial modulation, however, can be at a relatively low
modulation period, for example, less than or equal to about
1/100.sup.th of the height of the screen. Advantageously, the
projected anti-sampling system content (e.g., visible light images
transmitted at higher frequencies, for example, above about 120 Hz)
from the second projector 105 is virtually invisible to the human
eye, yet is readily detected by any sampling system (e.g., a
camcorder device) due to the well-known aliasing phenomenon in
signal processing. The projected anti-sampling system content in
accordance with the present invention causes beat frequencies in
any pirated recording of a movie, thus rendering any such pirated
recordings useless.
[0038] In addition, the feedback device 103 of the system of FIG. 1
advantageously enables real-time evaluation and tuning of the
overall system so as to ensure that as close to a minimum effective
amount of additional modulated light necessary to effectuate the
desired results is utilized and projected onto the content to be
protected.
[0039] Optionally, in various embodiments of the present invention
and as depicted in FIG. 1, a filter generator module 523 can
further be provided for generating and sending additional security
data (e.g., a signal) in addition to the modulated content from the
secondary projector 105, and a filter detector module 521 can be
provided in the proximity of the feedback camera 103 or as part of
the feedback camera 103 for recovering and detecting the additional
security data. The specifics of the modules 521, 523 are explained
further below with reference to FIG. 5.
[0040] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary illustration of an image having
anti-camcorder content as viewed by a sampling system in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, as
depicted in FIG. 2 anti-sampling system content 203 can include
modulated visible light in any shape, configuration, design,
letters, etc. preferably covering an amount of the original image
that is sufficient to render a sampled pirated recording of the
image useless yet is virtually undetectable to the human eye. In
the example of FIG. 2, anti-sampling system content 203 comprises
the word "PIRATE" projected onto an original image 201.
[0041] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary illustration of images projected
by various components of an anti-camcorder system in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG.
3, the image 301 projected by the main projector comprises content
desired to be protected. Anti-sampling system content (e.g., a
modulated visible light image) 303 is projected by a second
projector. In the image(s) seen by the audience 305, any
anti-sampling system content is virtually invisible, and the image
appears the same as original unmodified image 301. However, in an
image 307 taken by a feedback camera, the modulated anti-sampling
system content 303 is clearly visible.
[0042] FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a method for providing
anti-camcorder system content in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. The method begins at step 401, at which a
first projection device projects images onto a screen (e.g., a
theater screen). The method then proceeds to step 403.
[0043] At step 403, at least a plurality of consecutive frames of
the images are recorded by a feedback camera and input to a
processor/computer which can be external or internal with respect
to the feedback device. The method then proceeds to step 405.
[0044] At step 405, the properties of the input images (e.g., their
average luminescence/light level, color content and/or variability
or movement between the frames, etc.) are determined, for example,
by the processor/computer 102. The method then proceeds to step
407.
[0045] At step 407, an area (e.g., amount and location) of each
image for adding anti-sampling system content thereon is
determined. In various embodiments of the present invention, only
certain ("non-entire") or random portions of each image are
affected. The method then proceeds to step 409.
[0046] At step 409, suitable anti-sampling system content is
created customized to the properties of the analyzed images. The
method then proceeds to step 411.
[0047] At step 411, the anti-sampling system content is
communicated to a second projector, which projects the
anti-sampling system content, for example, in the form of modulated
visible light, onto the desired portions of each image in each
selected sequence, for example, in real time. The method can then
be exited.
[0048] In various embodiments of the present invention, a control
unit of the present invention, such as the control unit 102 of FIG.
1, can further include a database (not shown) for containing, for
example, anti-sampling system content in the form of pre-determined
images, letters, numbers, designs, logos, etc. at pre-determined
light levels, colors, etc. In one embodiment of the present
invention, such a database can be included in the memory 104 of the
control unit 102. In alternate embodiments, such a database can
also be externally provided on a server accessible via a network
(e.g., Internet). As previously recited however, in alternate
embodiments of the present invention, the modulator 108 can include
the ability to create new or customized anti-sampling system
content.
[0049] FIG. 5 depicts a high level block diagram of a system for
providing and verifying anti-sampling content in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 5 illustrates a
high level block diagram of a system using multiple projectors for
security verification of anti-camcorder content. In the system of
FIG. 5, a video input 501 is communicated to a control unit 502 of
a main projector 500 to undergo `normal` processing' for providing
image content for display on a screen. The control unit 502 of FIG.
5 illustratively comprises an image analyzer 509 and a modulator
511. The processed content can be analyzed by the image analyzer
509 for determining the type/structure/layout of anti-camcorder
content (e.g., modulation) to be projected by the secondary
projector 505. At the same time, the processed image content is
communicated to a display enable module 515, which, depending on
the outcome of the verification process discussed further below,
enables or disables its display and projection onto a screen.
Assuming the monitored anti-sampling content is verified, the
processed image content is enabled by module 515 and output 525 to
a screen for viewing.
[0050] In the system of FIG. 5, the modulator 511 operably
connected to and in communication with the image analyzer 509 can
provide video feed comprising modulation of the original image
content as well as special key encrypted modulation using a key 527
input to the image analyzer from a security processor 513. The key
527 provides an additional security measure in facilitating the
generation and detection of key-encrypted modulation which cannot
be created or detected without the key.
[0051] The modulated anti-camcorder content is sent to a secondary
projector 505 which, optionally, projects the security content to a
filter generator module 523. The filter generator module 523 can
include an infrared (IR) filter configured to generate a separate
`invisible` channel or signal as an additional check that the
secondary projector is operating correctly and projecting the
desired and expected anti-camcorder content. The module 523 does
not change the modulated signal from the modulator 511 nor does it
generate a signal intended to disrupt a camcorder. In the system of
FIG. 5, the anti-camcorder content is output 524 from the secondary
projector 505 onto the image content 525 projected on a screen.
[0052] A verification process in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention as depicted in FIG. 5 can be described as
follows. A feedback device 503 can be provided for recording the
content ('recorded content'/'feedback image') being displayed on a
screen in real-time. The `recorded content` includes an external
visual recording created by the feedback device of the image
content that is actually being displayed on the screen. The
feedback image/recorded content can comprise an isolated section of
the screen where a code is passed, or can alternatively cover the
entire screen to evaluate the entire picture content.
[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback
device 503 can comprise a simple USB camera and can include an
optional filter detector module 521 for detecting any channel or
signal created by the optional filter generator module 523, and can
include an encryptor 519 for encrypting the recorded content. In
the system of FIG. 5, the recorded content is communicated to the
security processor 513 where the recorded content is decrypted via
a decryptor 517, analyzed and compared with an expected content.
The security processor 513 determines whether or not the
anti-piracy security is active and in accordance with expected
parameters. For example, the `expected content` can include the
anti-sampling content which was previously known and selected by
the system to have been applied to the image content. The outcome
of the decision is communicated to the display enable/disable
module 515 which accordingly enables or disables the display of the
image content depending on whether the recorded content matches the
expected content. For example, the enable/disable module 515 can be
configured for disabling the projection of the image content on the
screen if the recorded content does not match the expected
content.
[0054] FIG. 6 depicts a high level block diagram of an anti-piracy
protection and verification system in accordance with an alternate
embodiment of the present invention. That is, the system of FIG. 6
depicts an embodiment in which additional or secondary projectors
and filters are not utilized. In this alternate embodiment, a main
projector 601 is provided for projecting modulated image content
across a seating area 605 onto a theater screen 607 and a feedback
camera 603 is provided for monitoring and recording the modulated
content and communicating a video feed 609 including modulation of
the original image content.
[0055] FIG. 7 depicts a more detailed diagram of the system of FIG.
6 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. That
is, in FIG. 7, a video input 701 can be communicated to a control
unit 702 of a main projector 700 to undergo `normal processing` for
providing image content for display on a screen. The processed
content can then be analyzed by an image analyzer 709 for
determining the type/structure/layout of anti-camcorder content
(e.g., modulation) to be projected by the main projector 700. At
the same time, the processed image content is output to a display
enable module 715, which, depending on the outcome of the
verification process as discussed further below, enables or
disables its display and projection onto a screen. Assuming the
monitored anti-sampling content is verified, the processed image
content is enabled by module 715 and output 725 to a screen for
viewing.
[0056] In the system of FIG. 7, a modulator 711 operably connected
to and in communication with the image analyzer 709 can provide a
video feed comprising modulation of the original image content and
optionally, a special key encrypted modulation using a key 727
input to the image analyzer from a security processor. The key 727
provides an additional security measure in facilitating the
generation and detection of key-encrypted modulation which cannot
be created or detected without the key.
[0057] The modulated anti-camcorder content and key-encrypted
modulation is communicated to the processor 707 and, assuming that
the verification process approves the content, it is enabled by
display enable module 715 for output 725 together with the original
image content onto a screen.
[0058] As previously described, in the system of FIG. 7 the
verification process can include a feedback device 703 provided for
recording the content (feedback image input 704) being displayed on
a screen. The feedback image can be isolated to a section of the
screen where, for example, a code is contained, or cover the entire
screen to evaluate the entire picture content.
[0059] In various embodiments of the present invention, the
feedback device 703 can comprise a simple detection device, such as
a USB camera, and can optionally include an encryptor 719 for
encrypting the recorded content. The recorded content is
communicated to the security processor 713 where it is decrypted
via decryptor 717, analyzed and compared with an expected content.
The security processor 713 determines whether or not the security
is active (i.e., is in accordance with expected parameters). The
outcome of the decision is sent to the display enable module 715
which accordingly enables or disables the image content.
[0060] The feedback device of the present invention, such as the
feedback device 703 of FIG. 1, is, in various embodiments of the
present invention, provided in proximity to a respective projection
screen for recording content played on the screen in real-time. In
various embodiments of the present invention, the recorded content
of the feedback device can also optionally be encrypted to
discourage piracy as previously described. Advantageously, the cost
of the feedback system of the various embodiments of the present
invention can be kept low since it is not required for the feedback
device (camera) to be high-resolution, have a high frame rate, or
even need a high level of security. It is not necessary for the
feedback device to be a very high security system for at least the
following reasons:
[0061] 1. The camera may be low cost and thus would typically
produce low quality video, which is undesirable for pirated
copying.
[0062] 2. When the anti-camcorder content is applied and operating
properly, the camera's recorded content will be `contaminated` with
the anti-camcorder content and thus be non-viewable content that is
unsuitable for pirating.
[0063] 3. Since the security verification process is a real-time
system, each frame of content is unique. Simple and basic
processing techniques can thus be used to check for some
correlation between the movie's original content and the image
being recorded by the feedback camera. Techniques as simple as
scene change detection can be used to verify that the feedback
image content is from the real-time image displayed on the
screen.
[0064] 4. Since the image content is encrypted, for example; over a
cable, it is a tamper-resistant system. Further, the encryption can
be simple and low-cost, since there would be little motivation to
decrypt such low-resolution, anti-camcorder/altered content.
[0065] 5. The output of the feedback camera can be limited to
include a few sample frames to every one frame of the movie, thus
intentionally producing `jitter` in the output of the feedback
camera's recorded content. The frame rate could also be varied from
the frame rate of the movie content to further render the feedback
camera useless for producing a recorded copy of the movie which may
be used for pirating purposes.
[0066] FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of a method for providing and
verifying anti-camcorder content in real-time in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. The method of FIG. 8 begins at
step 801, in which video content is analyzed for determining
anti-sampling content to be added to the content. The method then
proceeds to step 803.
[0067] At step 803, anti-sampling content and, optionally,
key-encrypted anti-sampling content are created. The method then
proceeds to step 805.
[0068] At step 805, the created anti-sampling content and the
optional key-encrypted content are added/projected to the image
content. The method then proceeds to step 807 or step 808.
[0069] Alternatively, at step 807 additional security data in the
form of, for example, a separate signal or channel can be generated
(e.g., using an IR filter) and added to the anti-sampling image
content. The method then proceeds to step 808.
[0070] At step 808, the image content with anti-sampling content,
and any optional additional security data, if applicable, is
projected onto a screen for display. The method then proceeds to
step 809.
[0071] At step 809, the image content displayed on the screen is
recorded and optionally encrypted in real-time. The method then
proceeds to step 811.
[0072] At step 811, the recorded content is decrypted and processed
as previously described. The method then proceeds to step 813.
[0073] At step 813 it is determined whether the anti-camcorder
security is currently active (e.g., whether the feedback image
content matches the `expected content"; the actual anti-sampling
content+the original image content). If no, the method proceeds to
step 817 at which point the image content is stopped from further
projection on the screen. If yes, the method proceeds to step
814.
[0074] At step 814, it is determined whether the optional
additional security data described in step 807 was added. If the
optional security data was not added, the image content with
anti-sampling content is continued to be projected onto the screen
without interruption. If the optional security data was added, the
method proceeds to step 815.
[0075] At step 815, the security data is retrieved from the
recorded content and compared with the originally added security
data and it is then determined whether the added security data
matches the retrieved security data. If there is no match, the
method returns to step 817 wherein projection of the image content
on the screen is discontinued. If the originally added security
data matches the retrieved security data, the image content with
anti-sampling content is continued to be projected onto the screen
without interruption. The method can then be exited.
[0076] Having described preferred embodiments for a method,
apparatus and system for providing an anti-piracy protection and
verification system (which are intended to be illustrative and not
limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be
made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings.
It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the
particular embodiments of the principles disclosed which are within
the scope and spirit of the inventive principles as outlined by the
appended claims. Having thus described the invention with the
details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is
claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the
appended claims.
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